Dispenser with demountable reservoir



Oct. 15, 1963 A. A. COWAN 3,107,025

DISPENSER WITH DEMOUNTABLE RESERVOIR Filed Jan. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 /4 L \/74 gig; 50/ $4 858 95 56.52

ARA/OLD A. CowA/v F Y i w ATTOEAJEY Oct. 15, 1963 A. A. cowAN 3, 07

DISPENSER WITH DEMOUNTABLE RESERVOIR Filed Jan. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 'r'rozusy United States atent 3 i125 Patented Oct. 15, 1963 3,167,025 DZSEENSER WETH DEMGUNTABLE EESERVGER Arnold A. (Iowan, Los Angeles, Calif assignor to Bchiick Manu't'acturing Corporation, Los Angeles, Calizh, a conporation of Delaware Filed .lan. 15, 1952, Ser. No. 166,016 4 (Ilaims. (til. 22ll-l'$) The present invention relates to a dispenser for various types of materials and, more particularly, to a dispenser which includes a reservoir or container adapted to be easily removed from operative relationship with the remaining portions of the dispenser to facilitate the servicing of said reservoir or container or the replenishment of the material deposited therein.

The dispenser of the invention includes a mounting bracket adapted to support the aforesaid container upon a vertical surface, such as a wall or the like, and is characterized by the fact that it includes a cover which is adapted both to close the open top of the reservoir or container and to retain said reservoir or container in operative relationship with the aforesaid mounting bracket. Therefore, when the cover of the dispenser is closed upon the associated container, it will prevent removal of the container. However, when the cover is moved from its closed to open positions, the container can be easily and readily removed from the associated mounting bracket.

in order to facilitate the consideration of the construction and mode of operation of the dispenser of the invention, it will be described as being utilized in the dispensing of liquid soap but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the teachings of the invention may be applied with equal cogency to the dispensing of various types of materials and that they are not inherently limited to the dispensing of liquid soap.

Conventional soap dispensers are usually constituted by a jar for containment of the liquid soap and a dispensing valve mounted in the cover of said jar. Similarly, granular soap dispensers usually include a container having a dispensing valve located to dispense the granular soap from the container. Conventional dispensers of the character discussed immediately hereabove are usually mounted on a vertical wall surface and project therefrom, and the replacement of the constituent elements thereof usually entails the expenditure of considerable time and labor by the individual servicing them.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a dispenser for soap and other materials which is characterized by the provision of mounting means adapted to mount the container of the dispenser on a vertical wall surface and by the provision of a cover engageable with the container and adapted to prevent removal of the container from the mounting means when it is disposed in closed relationship with said container.

An associated object of the invention is the provision of a dispenser of the aforementioned character, wherein the cover and container are provided with a cooperative latch preventing movement of the cover from its closed position on the container by unauthorized individuals.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cover which incorporates an enlarged planar surface which is adapted to serve as a shelf for personal articles of an individual utilizing the dispenser.

An additional object of the invention is the provision, in a dispenser of the aforementioned character, of a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a vertical surface and incorporating retention tracks which are adapted to receive associated portions of the container of the dispenser and to permit said associated portions to be released from said track upon movement of the container in a predetermined path.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a dispenser of the aforementioned character, of a mounting bracket securable to a vertical surface and having retention means thereupon engagea'ole by corresponding portions of the associated container, said retention means being engageable by corresponding engagement means on said container, whereby, said container may be Slidably en aged with, or disengaged from, said mounting bracket.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dispenser wherein the cover for the dispenser is secured to the aforesaid mounting bracket and the container of the dispenser may be removed from operative engagement with said container and cover when said cover is released from operative engagement with the container.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser of the invention in mounted position upon a wall;

PEG. 2 is a view taken along the broken line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the broken line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

PEG. 4 is a view taken along the broken line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

P16. 5 is a View taken along the broken line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the dispenser latch, illustrating particularly how a tool may be disposed through suitable openings in the dispenser to release the latch;

FIG. 7 is a vertical, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the position of the cover after it has been pulled outwardly, and prior to upward pivotal movement of the cover, portions of the dispenser being omitted for simplicity;

FIG. 8 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 7, but illustrating the cover in its upwardly pivoted position;

FIG. 9 is a vertical, cross-sectional View similar to FIG. 8, but particularly illustrating the disposition of the spring which is operative to bias the cover toward its upwardly pivoted unlatched position;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along the broken line Ill-4d of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a detail, perspective view of one side of the dispenser wall bracket, particularly illustrating the slidable interrelationship between the wall bracket and the dispenser container.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-4 and 11, there is shown a dispenser 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and including mounting means 12 constituted by a wall bracket 13 securable to a vertical surface, such as a Wall 14, or the like, for locating the dispenser 1G in a convenient position for operation by the individuals utilizing the dispenser 1G.

The mounting bracket 13 is fabricated from sheet metal, or the like, and is of substantially rectangular configuration. Incorporated in the bracket 13 is an integral, lower support flange 36. Provided upon the opposite extremities of the bracket 13 are pairs of guides 18 and 20 and 22 and 24, respectively, which are spot Welded to adjacent portions of the bracket 13.

The guides 13 and 253 and Z2 and 24 are substantially coextensive and have their outer edges disposed in spaced relationship to define vertically extending grooves or tracks 26 and 28, respectively, FIG. 3. The upper and lower extremities of the guides 18 and 2t and 22 and 24 are flared to provide enlarged entry portions of the tracks 26 and 28 to facilitate the insertion of cooperative elements t-hereinto as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

Juxtaposed to the retention means on the bracket 13 are right-angularly bent mounting tabs 30 and 32, said tabs being adapted to serve as arm supports 34- and 36, FIGS. 3 and 11, respectively. The arm supports 34- and 36 pivotally engage other portions of the dispenser in a manner to be described in greater detail below. A container or reservoir 42 is adapted to be mounted upon the bracket 13 and includes end walls 44, a front wall 46, a back wall 48 and a bottom wall 59, said walls defining an upwardy open reservoir for the reception of liquids to be dispensed, such as liquid soap. Provided upon the end walls 44, and extending rearwardly of the back wall 48 are rightangul'arly bent engagement flanges 38 and 40' adapted to be slidably engaged in the tracks 26 and 28, respectively, to demountably maintain the container 42 in operative position on' the wall 14.

A plurality of openings is incorporated in the front wall 46 of the container 42 for the reception of liquid dis pensing valves 52 adjacent opposite extremities of the container 42. An intermediate opening mounts a transparent sighting element 54. Doubler plates, such as the doubler plate 56 in FIG. 2, are located rearwardly of, and in spaced relationship with, the interior surface of the front wall 46, said plates incorporating corresponding openings to those previously described for the reception of the rearward extremities of the dispensing valves 52 and the sighting element 54.

The doubler plates 56 are vertically oriented and incorporate right-angularly bent flanges 58 at their extremities which are respectively secured by spot welding, or the like, to corresponding portions of the container 42. The doubler plates 56 rigidify the front wall 46 of the container 42 and serve as auxiliary supports for the dispensing valves 52 and the sighting element 54. Retention nuts 69 and 62 threadedly engage the rear extremities of the sighting element 54 and the valves 52, respectively, to maintain themin their operative relationship with the container 42.

The liquid soap disposed in the container 42 may be dispensed from either the valves 52 and the sighting element 54 constitutes a means for determining when the level of the soap has dropped therebelow, thereby indicating to the custodian the need for replenishment of the supply of soap.

Any suitable form of dispenser valve 52 may be employed in conjunction with the present dispenser 10, but there is preferably employed a liquid soap dispensing valve of the type which is described and illustrated in United States Letters Patent No. 2,515,328. Reference is made to that patent for a detailed description of the valves 52, although it is noted, generally, that each of the valves 52 is of that type which includes a piston member 64 depressable by the dispenser user to pump liquid soap out of an outlet 66 provided in the valve 52.

Although two valves 52 are illustrated in the present embodiment, it will be apparent that a greater or lesser number can be used, depending upon the horizontal length of the dispenser 10 and other factors peculiar to the particular application involved.

When the container '42 is disposed in operative relationship With the bracket 13, the bottom wall 50 thereof is engaged adjacent its rear edge by the support flange 16 on the bracket 13. Of course, prior to such engagement the engagement flanges 38 and 40 have been respectively slid vertically downwardly into the tracks 26 and 28-, the flared mouths of said tracks facilitating the initial engagement of said flanges with said tracks.

The cooperative relationship of the container bottom wall 50 with the corresponding support flange 16 of the wall bracket 13 and the engagement flanges 38 and 40 with the corresponding tracks 26 and 28 securely retains the container 42 against inadvertent displacement from the wall bracket 13. The wall bracket 13 is, in turn, rigidly secured to the wall 14 by screws 70, or similar fasteners, FIG. 3, inserted through corresponding openings 68, FIG. 11, in the guides 18 and and 22 and 24.

The tracks 26 and 28 are flared at both the top and bottom thereof so that the guides 18 and 20 may be interchanged with the guides 22 and 24 for mass production purposes. Either set of guides can function in place of the other, and the flared base of the tracks 26 and 28 is unnecessary to the operation of the dispenser 10.

Operatively associated with the container 42 is a substantially rectangular cover 72 which provides an enlarged planar shelf area and has its rear extremity incorporating a bead 74 which constitutes a cove adjacent the wall 14 to conceal the upper extremity of the bracket 13 and to prevent the flow of liquid behind the container 42. The forward edge and opposite extremities of the cover 72 extend beyond the corresponding walls of the container and are bent downwardly and inwardly to define a peripheral channel '76 constituted by a vertical wall 78 and a bottom Wall 89.

The cover 72 is, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 7-9, pivotally supported upon the Wall bracket 13 by a pair of elongated, forwardly extending support arms 82 by means of right-angularly bent connectors 84, each including a pair of horizontally oriented arms 83 and 85 secured, respectively, to the bottom wall 80 of the channel 76 and the interior surface of the top wall of the cover 72.

Each of the vertical legs of the connector 84 incorporates a horizontally oriented retainer 86, constituted by a rivet, or the like, slidably disposed in an axial slot 88 in the associated suppont arm 82, the retainer 86 having a head larger than the width of the slot 88 to maintain the cover 72 and arms 82 in operative relationship.

The rearward extremities of the support arms 82 are pivotally secured by pivot pins 99' to the arm supports 34- and 36 on the wall bracket 13'. The upper edges of the support arms 82 normally engage the underside of the cover 72 so that when the cover is moved upwardly into the open position shown in FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings, the arms 32 are pivoted upwardly and rearwardly on the pins 90 to support the cover. The cover 72 is move'able between a closed position in overlying relationship with the open top of the container 42, FIGS. 1-6, and an open position in which it is juxtaposed to the corresponding surface of the wall 14. When the cover 72 is disposed in its open position, the container 42 may be slid upwardly and vertically upon the bracket 13 to permit the complete disengagement of the container 42 from said bracket. In this manner, replacement of a container 42 incorporating defective valves or in need of repair may be accomplished with a minimum expenditure of time and labor.

When the cover is moved from its closed to open positions, such movement is facilitated by torsion springs 92 FIGS. 9-10, whose intermediate convolutions are mounted about tabs 94 formed integrally'with the wall bracket 13. The lower arm of each spring 92 is secured to the bracket 13 by a corresponding lance 96 while the upper arm of each spring 92 engages the inner surface of the top wall of the cover 72.

Therefore, during opening movement of the cover 72 the torsion springs 92 facilitate such movement by tending to bias the cover 72 upwardly. Moreover, the springs 92 retain the cover 72 in its open position during removal or servicing of the container 42.

It will be noted that, as best shown in FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings, when the cover is in its closed position, the vertical and horizontal walls 78'and 80' of the channel 76- overlie the front wall 46 of the container 42. When so disposed, the retainers 36 are located, FIG. 2, at the rearward extremities of the associatedslots 88 in the arms 82.

Secured to the upper edge of the front wall 46 of the container 42 intermediate its extremities is a latch 98 which, when the cover is in-the closed position, FIG. 2, is disposed in the channel 76. Incorporated in the latch 98 is a bolt 100 which is spring biased downwardly into engagement with a keeper 101 constituted by a lance formed in the bottom wall 80 adjacent an access opening 102 juxtaposed to a vguide 195, and being adapted to maintain the cover 72 against horizontal sliding movement in relationship to the container .2-. Since the cover 72 is restricted against such sliding movement it cannot be pivoted upwardly because the bottom wall 8% of the channel wall 76 underlies the latch 98 which obstructs upward movement of said bottom wall while the bolt 160 and keeper 101 prevent outward sliding movement of the channel 76. When the dispenser 11) is of considerable length, it is preferred that two latches 93 be used to prevent torsional loads being placed upon the cover 72 which might permit a person tampering with the dispenser to dislodge the cover 72 from its closed position.

It will be noted that, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the guide 105 incorporates a U-shaped notch 109 which is adapated to act as a guide for the extremity of a suitable tool 1154- engageable with the lower extremity of the bolt 19%}. Upward movement of the tool 104- through the opening 162 urges the bolt 160 up wardly to an unlatched position out of engagement with the keeper 101, as best shown in FIG. 6, to release the bolt 160 and permit the cover 72 to be slid forwardly into the position shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Normally, the cover 72 is slid forwardly until the retainers 86 on the connectors 84 engage the right-hand extremities of the slots 88 in the arms 82 and is then pivoted upwardly on the arms 82 into the open position of FIGS. 8-10.

When the cover 72 is located in its open position access may be had to the interior of the container 12 to permit replenishment thereof. The cover 7% is maintained in its open position by the action of the torsion springs 92 and, if desired, the container 42 may be slid upwardly upon the tracks 26 and 28 to dismount it from operative relationship with the bracket 13. If desired, a substitute container may be mounted upon the bracket 13 by engaging the flanges 38 and 40 with the tracks 26 and 28, respectively.

After the container 42; has been located in operative relationship with the bracket 13, the cover 72 may be swung downwardly into the position of FIG. 7 of the drawings. The cover 72 may then be pushed or slid inwardly toward the wall 14 and when the bottom wall 80 of the channel 76 approaches the lower extremity of the latch 100 the keeper ltl'l engages the lower extremity of the bolt 100 to urge said bolt upwardly against the bias of the associated spring. Continued inward movement of the cover 72 permits the lower extremity of the bolt 100 to drop in front of the keeper 191 to latch the cover 72 against dislodgement other than by use of the tool 164 which has a tang adapted to be inserted through the opening 102 into engagement with the lower extremity of the bolt 10%, as best shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings.

When the container 42 is disposed in operative relationship with the bracket 13, the bracket 13 and the screws 7 0 mounting said bracket on the Wall 14 are completely concealed and access to the screws to remove the dispenser 10 cannot be had. Moreover, since the cover is latched in its closed position by the latch 98. It cannot be pivoted upwardly to release the container 42.

While a specific form of mounting bracket and engagement means on the container cooperative therewith has been shown and disclosed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various alternative constructions may be utilized which would still fall within the scope of the present invention. For instance, a horizontal sliding engagement of the container with the bracket might be provided rather than the vertical sliding engagement disclosed hereinabove.

A dispenser is provided by the invention which is characterized by the facility with which the container incorporated in the dispenser may be installed upon, or removed from the mounting bracket and by the fact that the cover for the container is mounted separately from the container to cause the cover to serve as means for retaining the container in operative relationship with the mounting brackt therefor and to permit the container to be removed from operative relationship with said mounting bracket while the cover remains upon the wall.

I claim:

1. In combination, a bracket; a container supported on said bracket; a cover having a peripheral channel pivotally and slidably mounted on said bracket; a latch attached to said container; and a keeper in said channel adapted to engage said latch to restrain movement of said cover with respect to said container.

2. in combination, a bracket; a container supported on said bracket; a pair of support arms pivotally connected to said bracket; a cover having a peripheral channel slidably mounted on said arms; a latch attached to said container; and a keeper in said channel adapted to engage said latch to restrain movement of said cover with respect to said container.

3. In combination, a bracket; a container supported on said bracket; a pair of support arms pivotally connected to said bracket; a cover having a peripheral channel slidably mounted on said arms; a latch attached to said container and disposed in said channel when said cover is in a closed position; and a keeper on the bottom wall of said channel adapted to engage said latch to restrain movement of said cover with respect to said container.

4. In combination, a bracket; a container supported on said bracket; a pair of support arms pivotally connected to said bracket; a cover having a peripheral channel slidably mounted on said arms; a spring connected between said bracket and said cover to bias said cover upwardly; a latch attached to said container and disposed in said channel when said cover is in a closed position; and a keeper on the bottom wall of said channel adapted to engage said latch to restrain movement of said cover with respect to said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,842,210 Scruton Ian. 19, 1932 2,734,711 Shippen Feb. 14, 1956 2,945,718 Smith July 19, 1960' 

1. IN COMBINATION, A BRACKET; A CONTAINER SUPPORTED ON SAID BRACKET; A COVER HAVING A PERIPHERAL CHANNEL PIVOTALLY AND SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID BRACKET; A LATCH ATTACHED TO SAID CONTAINER; AND A KEEPER IN SAID CHANNEL ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID LATCH TO RESTRAIN MOVEMENT OF SAID COVER WITH RESPECT TO SAID CONTAINER. 